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United States Patent |
5,064,087
|
Koch
|
November 12, 1991
|
Self-opening can lid with improved contour of score
Abstract
An easy-open container end includes a displaceable panel defined by a score
line having curved tails which is in parallel relationship with adjacent
means for reinforcing, thereby reducing opening failures, while
controlling tearing. A score die and anvil is further provided wherein a
four bolt pattern provides greater resistance to distortion and more even
mounting stress distribution, resulting in more even score line residuals
and reduced opening failures.
Inventors:
|
Koch; Douglas F. (Springboro, OH)
|
Assignee:
|
Koch Systems Incorporated (Dayton, OH)
|
Appl. No.:
|
616984 |
Filed:
|
November 21, 1990 |
Current U.S. Class: |
220/269; 220/270 |
Intern'l Class: |
B65D 017/32 |
Field of Search: |
220/270,269,265,268,273,272
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4084721 | Apr., 1978 | Perry | 220/269.
|
4148410 | Apr., 1979 | Brown | 220/269.
|
4184607 | Jan., 1980 | Potts | 220/273.
|
4210257 | Jul., 1980 | Radtke | 220/269.
|
4211335 | Jul., 1980 | Langseder | 220/269.
|
4219127 | Aug., 1980 | Bielicki | 220/269.
|
4276993 | Jul., 1981 | Hasegawa | 220/269.
|
4286728 | Sep., 1981 | Fraze et al. | 220/270.
|
4465204 | Aug., 1984 | Kaminski et al. | 220/269.
|
Primary Examiner: Marcus; Stephen
Assistant Examiner: Caretto; Vanessa
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Killworth, Gottman, Hagan & Schaeff
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An easy-open container end comprising:
an end wall adapted for attachment to a container body; and
a displacable panel defined in said end wall by a rupturable score line
having first and second ends, and an unscored hinge area defined between
said first and second ends connecting said panel to said end wall;
said rupturable score line further including first and second tail portions
at said first and second ends, respectively, curving inward towards said
hinge area;
whereby an opening tab may be pivoted to exert axial pressure on a portion
of said panel and rupture said score line, separating said panel from said
end wall, and displacing said panel by bending said hinge area.
2. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 1 further comprising an
opening tab pivotably secured to said end wall by means for attaching, a
portion of said opening tab overhanging a portion of said panel.
3. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 1 further comprising
means for reinforcing said wall positioned proximate said panel.
4. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 3 wherein said
reinforcing means comprises at least one bead formed in said end wall,
said,at least one bead extending generally parallel to said score line and
substantially adjacent thereto.
5. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 4 wherein said at least
one bead further extends along a segment of said score line extending from
said second tail.
6. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 3 wherein said
reinforcing means comprises two reinforcing beads symmetrically disposed
on said end wall about said panel, said reinforcing beads extending
parallel to said score line and substantially adjacent thereto.
7. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for
reinforcing includes a reinforcing bead positioned substantially adjacent
and generally parallel to at least a portion of said scoreline including a
segment of said score line extending from said second tail.
8. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 7 wherein said
reinforcing bead comprises a raised rib stamped into said end wall.
9. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 1 wherein said panel
further comprises means for stiffening said panel.
10. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 9 wherein said means for
stiffening comprises a raised bead disposed near said score line and a
raised area centrally disposed in said panel.
11. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 1 wherein said panel is
generally oval-shaped.
12. An easy-open container end as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for
attaching comprises a rivet securing said opening tab to to said end wall.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INNVENTION
The present invention relates to easy-open container ends, in particular to
the design of rupturable score lines which define a panel displacable by
action of an opening tab. The present invention further relates to an
improved die design for making score lines of improved design in such
container ends.
Easy-open containers are well known in the beverage industry, and typically
comprise a two-piece construction consisting of a container body and a
container end. The container body and container end are typically made of
thin gauge aluminum and joined to withstand internal pressures commonly
associated with carbonated beverages.
Various easy-open features have been incorporated in container end walls.
In a typical configuration, an opening tab attached to a container end
wall may be rotated to exert axial pressure and displace a panel or tongue
defined by rupturable score lines. The rupturable score lines are stamped
into container end walls by score die sets of mating score dies and
anvils. The rupturable score lines typically involve tight manufacturing
tolerances because material thicknesses generally range in thousandths and
ten-thousandths of inches. Thus, while rupture of the score line is
desired, sufficient score line residual must remain to resist the internal
container pressures. A typical score line design and container end known
in the prior art are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
As production continues, score lines become weaker with die wear, and score
line residual increases. Opening failures result with greater frequency as
tearing and separation of the panel from the container end wall along
weaker score lines stops prematurely. Score line residual may also be
undesirably effected by factors other than die wear. Typically, score dies
and mating anvils used to stamp score lines are mounted by three bolts to
equipment at a stamping station. Uneven draw upon or overtorquing of the
mounting bolts may cause distortion in the die or anvil surfaces.
In addition to the score line residual, rupture along the score line is
typically facilitated by providing reinforcement of the container end wall
and panel. To provide support and stiffness thereto, means for
reinforcing, such as raised beads (also known as ribs or beams), and
raised areas on the container end wall and panel are pressed into the
material of the container end. The need for, and design of the various
known means for reinforcing will vary depending upon the material
thickness used.
It remains, however, that opening failures in easy-open container ends
continue to occur with unacceptable frequency with known designs.
Accordingly, further improvements are needed to decrease container opening
failures and improve the operation of dies used to stamp score lines in
container ends for easy-open containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets those needs by providing an easy-open container
end of improved design. A rupturable score line is designed to extend
between first and second ends to define a panel. The panel is preferably
curved or oval-shaped. An unscored hinge area remains between the first
and second ends, connecting the panel to the end wall. The rupturable
score line of the present invention is designed to extend substantially
parallel to means for reinforcing the end wall, such as two raised beads
pressed symmetrically about the panel, where adjacent to such means. Such
parallel relationship eliminates an area of metal between the score line
and beads, which area may be observed to bend rather than tear,
contributing to opening failures. Thus, the parallel relationship between
the score line and means for reinforcing enhances the rupture of the score
lines upon opening, reducing opening failures.
The score line of the present invention further includes first and second
tails disposed, respectively, on the first and second ends of the score
line. The tails are curved inward towards the hinge area. In addition, the
score line is extended to displace the second tail further up the adjacent
bead. These improvements serve to control and limit the tearing of
material in the hinge area during opening, enhancing the useful hinge area
while reducing opening failures.
Further, in accordance with the present invention the parallel relationship
between the score line and the means for reinforcing proximate thereto,
permits changes to be made in the thickness of container end wall
materials without changing the score line design. As a result, reduced
tooling, design and manufacturing changeover time is needed to effect such
changes in the manufacture of container ends.
The die means for forming the score line of the present invention, a die
set, includes a score die and mating anvil. The score die of the present
invention has a generally planar die face and is attached by four bolts to
means for operating the die. The use of four bolts permits smaller bolt
diameters and thus requires smaller bolt holes to be drilled in the die
face. More metal may thereby remain in the die face, strengthening the
die. The use of four bolts permits more even distribution of pressure
across the die face. Distortion of the die face is reduced, resulting in a
more even score line residual and more uniform depth of score. The die
face further includes a raised scoring edge embodying.the score line
design of the present invention, and preferably includes depressions to
accommodate means for reinforcing the end wall. Means for reinforcing,
such as raised beads, may be formed in the container end wall or panel
prior to scoring or, as is preferred, formed at least in part, during
scoring by cooperation between the score die and anvil. A raised bead or
area formed in the panel during scoring also serves to take up metal
displaced by scoring the container end wall.
The anvil of the present invention is also attached by four bolts to means
for operating the anvil, again to retain metal in the anvil to strengthen
the anvil and permit more even distribution of pressure across the face
thereof. Distortion and variation in the anvil are prevented, resulting in
more even and uniform score line residual. The anvil further includes
raised anvil areas against which the raised scoring edge of the score die
operates to score the container end wall.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to reduce opening
failures, enhance and preserve the hinge area connecting panels to
container end walls, and provide a score line design which need not be
changed upon change in material designs. It is also an object of the
present invention to provide an improved score die and anvil capable of
producing uniform and even score lines. It is a further object of the
present invention to provide a score die and anvil having a design
embodying characteristics necessary to produce the score line and related
means for reinforcing of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a container end showing a score line
design known in the prior art.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective of a container end known in the prior
art.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the container end showing the improved
score line of the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of the score die of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a schematic bottom view of the die of the present invention,
showing the die face and raised scoring edge thereon.
FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the score die of the present
invention taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 4B. FIG. 5A is a schematic top
view of the anvil of the present invention, showing the anvil face and
raised score line anvil area thereon.
FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the anvil of the present
invention taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5C is a schematic bottom view of the anvil of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of the scoring edge of the present
invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the raised scoring edge of the score
die at line 7--7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the raised scoring edge at line 8--8 of
FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the raised score line anvil area on the anvil
face of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the raised score line anvil area at
line 10--10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the raised score line anvil area at
line 11--11 of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 3, the score line 22 of the present invention is shown as
it would appear on container end 20. Score line 22 extends between first
end 24 and second end 26, defining oval-shaped panel 28. Unscored hinge
area 30 connects panel 28 to container end wall 32. First tail 34 and
second tail 36 are shown curving inward towards hinge area 30 and towards
the central portion of panel 28. Container end 20 is stiffened by means
for reinforcing including at least one bead, or as is preferred, first and
second beads 40, 42, respectively, symmetrically disposed about panel 28.
Means for reinforcing further include raised panel area 38 and panel bead
44. As shown in FIG. 3, score line 22 and beads 40, 42 are in
substantially parallel relationship where beads 40, 42 are proximate to
score line 22. Of particular significance in the present invention is that
segment of score line 22 which remains parallel to second bead 42 as score
line 22 approaches second tail 36. Maintenance of this parallel
relationship enhances rupture and reduces opening failures. In addition,
score line 22 extends further along second bead 42 relative to prior art
designs to further substantially prevent tearing of end wall 32.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, where like numbers indicate like elements,
container end I, as known in the art, shows score line 2 having first and
second ends 4, 6, which include first and second tails 14, 16,
respectively, of known design. Container end 1 is stiffened by means for
reinforcing including first and second beads 40, 42, respectively, raised
panel area 38 and panel bead 44. In contrast to the present invention,
score line 2 may be seen to diverge inward from parallel relationship with
second bead 42 before turning outward in second tail 16. The presence of
area A between bead 42 and score line 2 inhibits rupture of score line 2
in prior art container ends. The material in area A tends to bend, rather
than resist, and thus contributes to opening failures. Further, tearing
associated with opening along score line 2 tends to propagate into and
reduce the effective hinge area 10 of container end 1, as indicated at 12.
A typical cross-section of container end I as known in the art is shown in
FIG. 2.
Referring again to the present invention shown in FIG. 3, rupturable score
line 22 extends from first end 24 below means for attaching, such as rivet
46, which secures opening tab 48 to container end wall 32.. Score line 22
then continues in a generally oval shape to second end 26 disposed short
of first end 24. Preferably, score line 22 is substantially symmetrical
about the major axis 21 of panel 28 thus defined. In particular, the
segment of score line 22 extending from second end 26 to the corresponding
position B laterally across the panel, as shown, is substantially
symmetrical. This segment includes that portion of the score line which is
adjacent to means for reinforcing the container end wall and is, in
accordance with the present invention, substantially parallel to such
means where they are proximate to the score line 22. This relationship
promotes rupture of score line 22, and reduces opening failures.
Still referring to FIG. 3, first and second tails 24, 26 are curved inward
towards hinge area 30 and panel 28. Preferably, first tail 24 curls more
than 180 degrees inward, while second tail 26 curls more than 90 degrees
inward. This arrangement enhances and preserves the available hinge area
30. Any tearing propagated beyond score line 22, which is unlikely, will
tend to deviate outward, as indicated at 50.
With reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, the score die 60 of the present invention is
shown. Score die body 62 has a generally planar die face 64 and includes
four bolt holes 66 for mounting to means for operating, such as a press
(not shown) as known in the art for use at a stamping station. Score die
body 62 further includes raised scoring edge 72, which has a profile
corresponding to score line 22, and depressions 68, 70 and 74 which
correspond with and accommodate raised panel area 38, beads 40 and 42, and
panel bead 44, respectively. Shown in FIG. 4A, two alignment holes 76 are
provided for insertion of dowels (not shown) used to align score die 60 on
means for operating. Reference groove 78 is further provided to assist in
properly orienting score die 60. Rivet aperture 77 is centrally located in
the score die to accommodate the upward extension of rivet 46 which may be
inserted in the workpiece. As seen in FIG. 4B, one or more dimples 79 may
also be formed in score die 60 to assist in locating opening tab 48 during
manufacturing. Beads 40, 42 and 44 are stamped into container end wall 28
by other dies at preceding stations in the manufacturing process.
The bottom face of score die 60, shown in FIG. 4B, cooperates with the top
face of anvil 80, shown in FIG. 5A, to form score line 22 and raised panel
area 38 in container end wall 28. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, anvil 80,
which mates with die 60, is shown. Anvil body 82 has a generally planar
face 84 and includes four bolt holes 86 for mounting to means for
operating (not shown) as known in the art. Anvil body 82 further includes
a raised score line anvil area 92, and a raised area 88 corresponding in
shape with raised panel area 38. As shown in FIG. 5c, two anvil alignment
holes 90 are provided for insertion of dowels (not shown) used to align
anvil 80 on means for operating. Anvil rivet aperture 94 is centrally
located in anvil 80 to accommodate rivet 46 which may be inserted in the
workpiece. The use of four bolts to secure die 60 and anvil 80 to means
for operating, such as a press (not shown), permits bolts of smaller
diameter to be used, reducing the amount of material removed by drilling
bolt holes, and thereby strengthening die 60 and anvil 80. For example,
four 1/4 inch diameter bolts may be used instead of three 5/16 inch bolts,
requiring less material to be removed to produce the needed bolt holes.
The use of four bolts permits more even distribution of pressure across
the die face, reducing distortion, and making the score line residual more
even and more uniform in depth.
Score die 60 and anvil 80 are preferably comprised of stainless steel and
have tolerances and surface finishes as known in the art. Referring to
FIGS. 6-11, by way of example, and without limitation of the invent-ons
disclosed herein, preferred dimensions for a beverage can embodiment of
the present invention are set forth below. Table 1 includes preferred
dimensions for the scoring edge 72 of score die 60 shown in FIGS. 6-8, and
Table 2 includes the preferred dimensions for the corresponding raised
score line anvil area 92 of anvil 80, shown in FIGS. 9-11.
TABLE 1
______________________________________
Dimension Radius Angle
Reference Numeral
(inches) (inches) (Degrees)
______________________________________
O (Rivet aperture)
0.0000
C 0.1898
D 0.3734
E 0.5805
F 0.1787
G 0.1364
H 0.1850
I 0.2863
J 0.1536
K 0.3840
L 0.1520
M 0.0548
N 0.0045
P 0.0800
Q 0.0027
R 1.0112
S 0.1276
T 0.3160
U 0.2700
V 0.5399
W 0.0260
X 0.7178
Y 0.0441
Z 0.1478
AA 0.1175
BB 0.1175
CC 0.0200
DD 0.1583
EE 5
FF 30 37'03"
AAAA 1.0000
BBBB 0.0073
CCCC 0.0047
DDDD 0.0020
EEEE 0.021 .+-. .001
FFFF 25
GGGG 1.0073
HHHH 1.0053
IIII 0.002
______________________________________
TABLE 2
______________________________________
Dimension Radius Angle
Reference Numeral
(inches) (inches) (Degrees)
______________________________________
O' (Anvil rivet aperture)
0.0000
GG 0.1898
HH 0.3734
II 0.5805
JJ 0.1850
KK 0.1364
LL 0.1787
MM 0.1536
NN 0.2722
OO 0.2863
PP 0.0548
QQ 0.0800
RR 0.0027
SS 1.0112
TT 0.0045
UU 0.1520
VV 0.2505
WW 0.3160
XX 0.1276
YY 0.5399
ZZ 0.0636
AAA 0.0260
BBB 0.7178
CCC 0.0441
DDD 0.1583
EEE 5
FFF 1.2560
GGG 0.0090
HHH 0.0100
III 17 30'
JJJ 0.0010
KKK 0.110
______________________________________
As may be seen in FIGS. 6-11, score depth residual is varied by,
preferably, varying the height of raised score line anvil area 92. Such
channges may bbe seen by comparing the cross-sections of FIGS. 10 and 11.
The raised score line anvvil area 92 varies from the first end thereof, as
shown in cross-section in FIG. 11, becoming higher around the end, as
shown in FIG. 10. The area again becomes lower approaching its second end,
finishing higher. These changes in the height of raised score linne anvil
area 92, and associated transitionn areas are summarized in Table 3.
TABLE 3
______________________________________
Raised Score Line Anvil Area
Dimension (inches)
Segment Reference Height of
Defined At:
Numeral Length of Segment
Raised Area
______________________________________
Cross-Section
FFF-JJJ 1.2550
11-11
Transition
LLL 0.120 1.2550 to 1.2560
Cross-Section
FFF 1.2560
10-10
Transition
MMM 0.110 1.2560 to 1.2550
Level Area
NNN 0.160 1.2550
Transition
OOO 0.110 1.2550 to 1.2560
Level Area
PPP 1.2560
______________________________________
It is understood that a higher score line anvil area 92 results in greater
score line depth, when die 60 and anvil 80 are brought together to form
score line 22. Where deeper score lines are produced, there is
correspondingly, less score line residual, and rupture of score line 22 is
easier. In the preferred embodiment, aluminum material having 0.00I to
0.00II inches thick is preferred.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for
purposes of illustrating the present invention, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various changes in the article and apparatus
for making disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope
of the invention, which is defined in the appended, claims.
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